April 8, 2017. Hit the jackpot with this assignment!

LOCATION:  In the hills outside of Casoli in Abruzzo, Italy

WEATHER:  Not a cloud in the sky.  Highs uppder 60s

 

We awoke to this beautiful view at the villa where we are housesitting.The Appenine Mountains seem really close by.  

After a leisurely breakfast with crusty Italian bread and strong coffee,  we drove about 15 minutes (one hour by these mountain roads) to another village for their weekly market.  It is another ancient town.  We walked aroud the old part of town, mesmerized by the beautiful buildings.

There were a lot of people out and about.

The town, like most of the towns in this region, is perched high on a hill.

Lilacs, cherry trees, an irises are in full bloom.

When we got back to the car, it was a little difficult finding our way out of the maze-like narrow streets.  I couldn't figure out if the streets are one-way or not.  They certinly seem narrow enough to not allow 2-way traffic, but I'm probably wrong.

We stopped at a tiny vegetable market.  Artichokes are in season, and I bought 2 for dinner.  They also had a bin full of baby artichokes.  I need to look up a recipe for them.  

I also bought fava beans that were dirt cheap.  I plan to add those to a risotto one night.  I also bought a basil plant to use while I'm here and plant for the homeowners.

We use  George's google map on his phone when we can (without wifi).  If we get off track, it just stops.  It does not reroute us or tell us we need to turn around.  So today when we missed a turn, we got completely lost for about an hour.  At least we got to see more of the region!

Back home, we had a picnic lunch by the pool.

In the afternoon, we continued our orientation with the homeowners.  They are off tomorrow, one for Israel and one for South Africa.  

 

DINNER:  Using last night's leftover chicken meat, I made a pasta.  I grated some Grana Padano for the top.  It is cheap here and delicious!